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Browse alphabetically through more than 9,000 words in Dickinson’s poetry, as defined in the Emily Dickinson Lexicon, based in part on her dictionary, Webster's 1844 American Dictionary of the English Language.

F189A - Is it true, dear Sue?

Is it true, dear Sue?
Are there two?
I should'nt like to come
For fear of joggling Him!
If you could shut him up
In a Coffee Cup,
Or tie him to a pin
Till I got in -
Or make him fast
To "Toby's" fist -
Hist! Whist! I'd come!

About Work

Work Metadata

Manuscript

19 June 1861, to Susan Dickinson on the birth of Edward (Ned) Dickinson, the first child of Austin and Susan (h b140). The bottom of the manuscript, containing the last line of the poem and the signature "Emily," is now missing. It also carried a family note identifying the occasion and explaining that Toby was the cat.

Recipient

Susan Dickinson

Notes

19 June 1861, to Susan Dickinson on the birth of Edward (Ned) Dickinson, the first child of Austin and Susan (hb140). The bottom of the manuscript, containing the last line of the poem and the signature "Emily," is now missing. It also carried a family note identifying the occasion and explaining that Toby was the cat.

Textual Notes

Publications

LL (1924), 53, with the final two words forming a new line. Poems (1955), 156-57; CP (1960), 101. Letters (1958), 373, with a facsimile of the complete manuscript following 582. (J218)